Splanchnic infusions of short chain fatty acids do not change insulin sensitivity of pigs.

Long-term ingestion of high fiber diets is associated with reduced glucose concentrations during fasting and improved glucose tolerance (KG) in humans. Our objective was to determine if the beneficial effects of fiber were attributable to increased production of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the large intestine. Effects of SCFA on insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose effectiveness (SG), KG and baseline concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon and free fatty acids were examined in unfed 20-50 kg pigs (n = 6). Animals randomly received separate portal infusions (0.32 mL.min-1) of saline, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid solutions (0.01 mmol SCFA kg body weight-1.min-1) for 7-d periods. On d 7, somatostatin and tolbutamide modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed. SI and SG were calculated using Bergman's Minimal-Model. KG was determined by regression of log glucose curve versus time. SI, SG and KG values did not differ among the treatments (P > 0.05). Baseline concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon and free fatty acids were unaffected by infusion treatment (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that SCFA delivery is not directly responsible for improvements in glucose metabolism observed with long-term ingestion of high fiber diets.